By Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Soma
Is a spiritual office or position of an intercessor, that has the responsibility to watch and pray!
He/she commits to waiting on God to watch over a people or territory. This responsibility is set at the walls and gates – to protect and let in.
A watchman is also one who hears God’s voice and speaks to God’s people what God is saying. He stays awake to inquire of God and to receive secrets!
A watchman also is one who is called to be a trumpet – to give warning of incoming danger, and call people to be ready and alert!
A watchman sees what God is doing and can also see what the enemy is doing.
- Ezekiel as a watchman
Ezekiel 3:16-19 NKJV Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the LORD came to me, saying, [17] "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: [18] When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. [19] Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.
- Habbakuk as a watchman
Habakkuk 2:1-4 NKJVI will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. [2] Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. [3] For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry. [4] "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.
- Daniel as a watchman
Daniel 7:13 NKJV“I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.
- Watchmen over Jerusalem
Isaiah 62:6-7 NKJVI have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, [7] And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
- The watchman as a listener
Proverbs 8:34-36 NKJV•Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. [35] For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD; [36] But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death."
- The Example of Jesus and his watches
Mark 1:35 NKJV Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
Luke 6:12-13 NKJV Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. [13] And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:
Matthew 14:23-25 NKJV And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now, when evening came, He was alone there. [24] But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. [25] Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
Luke 5:16 NKJV So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
- Jesus asked Peter, James and John to watch with him
Matthew 26:40-41 NKJV Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? [41] Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
- Paul and Silas
Acts 16:25 NKJV But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
- Leaders have a responsibility to oversee and watch over souls
1 Peter 5:2 NKJVShepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
Hebrews 13:17 NKJVObey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
- We are all called to be watchmen!
Luke 12:35-40 NKJV"Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; [36] and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. [37] Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. [38] And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. [39] But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. [40] Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
How to be an effective watchman
1. Recognize the importance of the office of a watchman, as spiritual office, an intercessor, stationed at the gates and walls over a territory, a people. Watch over families.
2. Set a commitment of time, place, and purpose to be consistent in seeking the face of God.
3. Come to hear more the voice of God, and to pray his prayers as well. Be ready for correction, and obedience.
4. Apply wisdom and humility when God reveals his secrets. Somethings are revealed for private prayers.
5. Be God’s trumpet, and warn people of danger! Declare God’s truth
Watch: https://youtu.be/rODEwEh8FcI?si=SqToBFxG4IycjIop
Listen: https://www.spirit-and-life-ministries.com/sermons/the-office-of-the-watchman
